Fantastic Fall Trout Fishing

Date: September 13, 2019

I like to promote Georgia in most of my articles, but it’s
hard to deny the outstanding work of the North Carolina Wildlife Resource
Commission when it comes to their delayed harvest (DH) trout fishing program. Our friends to the north have about seven
times more streams and ponds set up for DH fishing. Their season basically opens October 1st
but, bear in mind, that it will take the NCWRC about a week to get around to
stock all these bodies of water. They will
be stocking browns, rainbows and gorgeous brook trout. These DH waters will revert to general
regulations on the first Saturday in June.

So, by the time you read this, these trout should have had
enough time to hopefully get spread out before you arrive for a day of
fantastic fall trout fishing. You may
even want to look at getting their annual fishing and trout licenses. The cost is approximately $55, but you can
get your money’s worth on just a few trips up to the high country! To boot, for the most of us, it’s really not
that far away and it can be a beautiful drive.
Heck, from Blue Ridge, it’s only an hour’s drive to Andrews and just
another ten minutes to the Nantahala.

Let’s look at the three closest DH streams to our area:

First, we have Fires Creek just outside of Hayesville,
NC. This is a mid-sized stream with
plenty of casting room. From its
beginning headwaters to the edge of the national forest it has roughly ten
miles of fishable water. Keep in mind,
the DH begins just inside of the national forest and is from the foot bridge at
the picnic area upstream to where FS 340-A crosses. This DH section is over a mile in length.

Second, we have the Nantahala River, which is just northeast
of Andrews, NC. This is another
mid-sized stream with plenty of casting room.
Although it is a marginal stream due to how the water is released, she
receives some healthy doses of stocked trout several times during the DH
season. There tends to be a lot of heavy
usage on the Nanty. Go during the week
to have more room and less anglers around you.
The DH begins just above the power house off Wayah Rd and goes upstream
to where Old River Rd goes off to the right.
The DH section is over a mile in length.

Lastly, we have Big Snowbird Creek which is outside of
Robbinsville, NC. Yet another mid-sized
stream with plenty of casting room. This
stream really came to fame being one of the best wild native brook trout
streams in the Southeast! Problem is,
from the Junction (old railhead junction) you must hike about 6 miles one way
before finding these beautiful specs.
Problem two, if you come in from the headwaters, you will pay the price
climbing back out with an elevation difference at the trailhead to Big Falls of
about 1800 feet! Big Snowbird is a little
more out of the way, so to speak. She
doesn’t seem to get anywhere near the pressure of the Nanty. During the fall season, you will run into
several bear hunters. To find the DH
area, look for the designated signs beside the stream as you drive in on Big
Snowbird Rd then upstream to the end of the road at what is called the
Junction. This is another DH section that
is roughly one mile in length.

If fishing the early part of the DH season, use junk flies
like eggs, Y2Ks, San Juan and Squirmy worms for fast hook ups. As the DH season drags on, begin switching
back to naturals!

James Bradley is the only Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide in North
Georgia’s Historic High-Country region.
Reel Em In Guide Service has been offering their services to fly anglers
since 2001. They have permits for
guiding in North Georgia and North Carolina, offering over 6 miles of private
trophy waters across Georgia, and operate drift boat trips on the Toccoa River
in GA and the Tuckasegee River in NC.

"Wow. What an awesome trip! I booked this trip as a Christmas present to myself and couldn't be happier. James was an excellent and patient guide. He made my experience as a first timer very fun and relaxing. I came away with a wealth of knowledge and can't wait to book another trip with these guys!"

-- Sarah E.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"Great guys, big fish!

Great Service! The guides give great tips for beginners and experienced fishermen alike and of course, expect fish in the net! Give them a call, and prepare for an epic day on the water. Surely was for me!"

-- caskew13

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“James was right there to help me get the fish out of the net for photos and was also taking plenty of pics for us along the way - which he promptly emailed to us right after so that we'd have them. My boyfriend caught the largest trout he's ever caught here in GA. He was so happy at the end of our trip and has been talking non-stop about it ever since. A+++++++++ all the way around!!"

-- Jessie H.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"Fantastic Time - Great Value! I will be returning. Very beautiful area. Peaceful. Small town and friendly people. The stream was beautiful. The fishing was relaxing and successful."

-- John G.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"My husband and our two teenage daughters booked a fly fishing trip with Reel’em In guide service during our summer vacation. We met the guides, James and Carter, who were just amazing. They demonstrated patience, expertise, and professionalism. I would definitely recommend booking a trip with them. We’re looking forward to doing this again with James an Carter as our guides."

-- The Hew Family

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"Went on a fishing trip guided by Dave Hulsey. It could not have been a better trip. It was my son’s first day on a fly rod. David had him catching fish in an hour. David was knowledgeable, patient and quick. I have used other guides in the area. David was head and shoulders above the rest."

-- Sulli32952

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"This was the best people that anyone could ask to be on the water with. James Bradley REEL-ly knows his stuff around the fly streams. Not to mention he is a nice guy."